Minnesota's Bicycle, Pedestrian Laws: More Strict Than You Think

Now that warm, spring weather has finally arrived in Minnesota, pedestrians and bikers have begun flooding the streets and sidewalks looking to soak up every bit of sun. The number of walkers, joggers and bicyclists out and about in neighborhoods will only increase as summer approaches.

Even though it's covered in state driving tests, many motorists forget or never fully learn the laws governing how to drive around pedestrians and bikers. However, that excuse won't hold up in court.

Walkers, joggers, and bicyclists should also know there are rules of the road apply to them as well. Check out Minnesota's laws below:

Pedestrian Laws

• Motorists must treat every corner and intersection as a crosswalk, whether it’s marked or unmarked, and drivers must stop for crossing pedestrians.
• Pedestrians must obey traffic control devices, and when no traffic control device is present, motorists must stop for crossing pedestrians within a marked crosswalk or at an intersection with no marked crosswalk.

Bicycle Laws

Bicyclists must:

• Ride on the road, and must ride in the same direction as traffic.
• Obey all traffic control signs and signals, just as motorists.
• Signal turns and ride in a predictable manner.
• Use a headlight and rear reflectors when it's dark.

Motorists must:

• Maintain a three-foot clearance when passing a bicyclist.

Bicyclist statutes — 169.18, 169.19, 169.222, 169.223, 169.225

Image via Minnesota Department of Transportation